SCULPTURES of Shaun the Sheep will line the city's streets as part of an art trail.
Jim Edwards, a Newcastle-based artist, has handpainted the sculpture as one of many which will form a family-friendly public art trail across Newcastle's iconic locations.
The free event, Shaun the Sheep on the Tyne, is presented by and fundraising for St Oswald’s Hospice.
The charity partnered with creative producers Wild in Art, Shaun the Sheep creator Aardman and headline partners Newcastle City Council.
Each Shaun the Sheep sculpture has been designed by artists from the region and beyond.
Wild in Art's website said: "As part of our ongoing partnership with Aardman Animations, we’re bringing Shaun the Sheep and his flock of friends to Newcastle in 2023.
"This is our third trail with St Oswald’s Hospice, after the success of Great North Snowdogs 2016 and Elmer’s Great North Parade 2019."
Mr Edwards said: "The Shaun the Sheep I’ve been painting is for a Wild in Art art trail, where 50 individually painted sculptures of the well-known Aardman character will be scattered across Newcastle.
"There’s going to be some smaller Shauns' as well, so 115 in total. The art trail runs from July 19 to September 27.
"I’m not sure where my Shaun will be situated in Newcastle. My sculpture is called Stella, but I can’t reveal much more at this stage as the organisers requested not to reveal too much before the event.
"When the auction ends, the sculptures will be auctioned off to raise funds for St Oswald’s Hospice.
"This will be my third trail for St Oswald’s Hospice; in 2016 I painted Snowline for the Great North Snowdogs, and then I painted Orbit for Elmer’s Great North Parade in 2019. I also painted Tesselate for Morph in the North, a separate Wild in Art trail, that took place across North Tyneside in 2022," Mr Edwards said.
The trail will increase public awareness about hospice care and its importance to the community.
Newcastle International Airport has been announced as a new trail sponsor for 2023.
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